Billy Built-in Bookshelves

Materials: 3 Billy bookcases, 3 Billy height extension units

Description: We started with three standard Billy bookcases (11″ deep) and three height extension units from Ikea. We wanted to make a wall of bookshelves that had a built-in look to transform our room into a library.

First, we constructed the Billys according to the Ikea directions. We painted the cardboard backing light green. After assembling the bookcases and securing the height extension units, we added trim to customize the bookshelves.

We used 3 1/2″ baseboard to cover the feet of the bookcases and crown molding on the top of the bookcases. We added lattice trim between bookcases to conceal where the sides of two bookcases meet. The trim was attached with a fast setting epoxy and allowed to dry overnight. The trim was painted Dove White by Valspar which is a close match the Ikea white laminate.

With that, we were able to create a wall of bookshelves which has a custom look for an inexpensive price!

Related Posts

The Author

Jules Yap "I am Jules, the engine behind IKEAHackers and the one who keeps this site up and running. My mission is to capture all the wonderful, inspiring, clever hacks and ideas for our much loved IKEA items".

The reason it’s done and done and done is because it’s classic, and stunning. Well done. Has anyone got good pics for using billy’s to do built in shelves and desks? I want to have that look, but incorporate 2 desk areas…

Where is everyone finding the crown moldings and trim for these? Online, everything is sold in quantities much too large for this project and we’d have to cut it at home. In home improvement stores around here, the costs of custom-cut molding would triple the cost of the bookshelf (or more!). I’d love to see someone go into more detail on this step, especially where they got the supplies and if the trim was cut for them, or if this requires having access to serious equipment, and how they finished the corners.

Love seeing these shelves done like this. To make it look properly built in, I would’ve removed the chair rail and skirtings, and butted it right up against the wall on the left. Then I would’ve replaced the chair rail and skirtings, and added trim at the top.Love that green colour!

Explore Archives

COPYRIGHT @ 2017 - 2018 IKEAHACKERS.NET | IKEA is a registered trademark of Inter-IKEA Systems B.V. | IKEAhackers is a fan-run website and is NOT related to IKEA, IKEA.com or the IKEA Group. Any and all links to IKEA.com are presented for reader convenience only and do not imply IKEA's approval of this website and/or the modification of its products. IKEA and IKEAhackers.net are not liable for any product failure, injury or damage resulting from the application of hacks featured on this site.